News

Syd Thrift Athletic Complex nears completion

by Larry Chowning

The Syd Thrift Athletic Complex at Middlesex High School in Saluda is still on schedule to be completed by the end of January or the first of February, reported Middlesex School Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor at the December 9 meeting of the county school board.

“The weather has slowed down progress, but we are still ahead of schedule because we had so many other good weather days to work,” he said.

Dr. Taylor also reported there have been several change orders in the project, some of which saved money. The deletion of a pole vault pit will save $2,521; deletion of a south perimeter fence will save $3,500; and deletion of under-drains for the concession building will save $1,000.

However, other changes will cost additional money. Changes to the irrigation system will cost an additional $1,500; minor changes to the tennis courts could increase costs up to $1,200; an addition of an 8-inch handrail on the main stairs will cost between $5,000 and $7,000; and a 3-to-6-foot shift of the softball field bleachers will cost $1,000 to $2,000.

Also, it will cost up to $1,000 to retain and fine grade an earth ramp in the shot put area; $5,500 to $6,500 to add a 10-foot warning track on the baseball field; $3,500 to $4,500 to add a 10-foot warning track on the softball field; and up to $4,000 for mounting angles/hardware for three scoreboards.

The change orders will cost between $9,479 and $21,179, and the school board approved the change orders.

Dr. Taylor reported that the ticket booths, press booths, bleachers and fencing are all just about complete. “We are extremely happy with the outcome of the project and it has been fun to watch,” he said.

During the public input part of the meeting, a speaker expressed a desire to have the athletic facility be more of an “educational space for the entire community.” There should be fruit trees and ornamental plants to give it more of a Williamsburg effect, said the speaker. “We could do something that would surprise and delight the community.”

In a related matter, the board approved a $424,796 payment to the contractor, Loughridge & Company LLC, for work completed.